International Floorball

SINCE 1986 official Finnish Floorball Federation Russian Rinkball and Floorball (Suomen Salibandyliitto) Federation Olympiastadion ul. Garibaldi 15-3 11 FI-00250 Helsinki RU-117335 Moscow I N N Finland Russia T O E I R T N A A R T E Tel: +358-9 454 21 40 Tel/Fax: +7-095 133 31 47 IO D N FE addresses Fax: +358-9 454 214 20 AL LL FLOORBA Singapore Floorball Association German Floorball Federation Ministry of Education, ECA Center (Deutscher Unihockey Bund) 51 Grange Road International Floorball Federation Joachim Semper Blk 2#02-03, Singapore SG-249564 Box 1047, SE-171 21 Solna Hinter der Masch 22 Republic of Singapore Sweden DE-38114 Braunschweig Germany Tel: +65-831 96 01 Tel: +46-8 27 32 50 Fax: +65-835 44 63 Fax: +46-8 82 22 14 Tel/Fax: +49-531 50 51 49 E-mail: [email protected] website: www.floorball.org Swedish Floorball Federation Great Britain Floorball Federation (Svenska Innebandyfšrbundet) Andrew G. Clough, Diomede Cottage Box 1047, SE-17121 Solna Australian Floorball Association 4 Church Street, Chipping Norton Sweden 29 South Creek Road, Dee Why, GB-OX7 5NT England Sydney 2099, AU-Australia Great Britain Tel: +46-8 27 32 50 Fax: +46-8 82 22 14 Tel/Fax: +61-2 997 606 68 Tel: +44-1608 64 13 59

Swiss Floorball Association Austrian Floorball Association Hungarian Floorball Federation (Schweizerischer Unihockey Verband) Werner Daves, MŸhltalerstrasse 11 (Maggyar Palanklabda Szšvetseg) Haus des Sportes, Postfach AT-8700 Leoben Nador Krisztian, Kassa Gyšrgy CH-3000 Bern 32 Austria Andrassy ut. 21. 111/5/a Switzerland HU-1061 Budapest Tel: +43-384 240 26 77 Hungary Tel: +41-31 359 72 44 Fax: +43-384 24 60 48 Tel: +41-31 359 72 40 (referee) Tel/Fax: +36-1 285 50 27 Fax: +41-31 359 72 49 Belgian Federation for Floorball and Unihockey Japan Floorball Federation United States Floorball Association Luc Simon, Stationstraat 26 (Japan Universal Hockey Kyokai) (HŒkan Almstršm) BE-9470 Denderleeuw Otowa Bldg. 7F 15944 Erickson Lane, Minnetonka Belgium 3-11-2 Otsuka, Bunkyo-Ku, Minnesota 55345 Tokyo 112-0012, JP Japan US Tel: +32-53 67 02 97 Fax: +32-53 68 29 85 Tel: +81-3 394 477 48 Tel: +1-6129319604 Fax: +81-3 394 477 95 Fax: +1-6128301943 Czech Floorball Union (Ceska Florbalova Unie) Latvian Floorball Union Pod Dekankou 82, P.S. 31 (Latvijas Florbola Savieniba) CZ-14021 Praha 4, Elisabetes iel‰ 45/47 Czech Republic Riga LV-1010 Other contacts in Floorball Latvia Tel/Fax: +420-2 612 195 49 France Fax: +420-2 80 13 60 Tel/Fax: +371-7 33 43 06 Mme Lydia Landaeus, 1833 Chemin du Riou FR-06140 Vence, France Norwegian Bandy Federation Tel: +33-93 24 63 66 Floorball section Fax: +33-93 58 21 12 Danish Floorball Federation (Norges Bandyforbund (Dansk Floorball Union) Innebandyseksjonen) The Netherlands Rob de Koning, Hudsonstraat 46-I Idr¾ttens Hus, Br¿ndby Stadion 20 Minister Ditleffs vei 23 NL-1057 SM Amsterdam, Nederlands DK-2605 Br¿ndby NO-0862 Oslo, Norway Tel: +31-20 618 73 45 Denmark Tel: +47-22 23 22 90 Slovakia Slovak Ball Hockey Union Tel: +45-43 26 23 71 Fax: +47-22 23 26 16 Junacka 6, SK-83280 Bratislava, Slovakia Fax: +45-43 43 45 95 Tel/Fax: +421-7 83 00 51 Polish Floorball Association Thailand Phichet Phaethaya, House No. 72/390, Estonian Floorball Association (Polska Zwiazek Unihokeja - Floorball) Prapawan Holm, Klongsan Praves Subdistrict, (Eesti SaalibŠndi Liit) Ewa Zoltowska, Aldony 7 Ladklabang District, TH-10120 Bangkok, Thailand J. SŸtiste tee 32 PL-81-524 Gdynia Tel: +66-2 914 85 65 EE-0034 Tallinn Poland Venezuela Estonia Mrs. Gerd Cohen, Quinta Benmar, Calle Varsovia, Tel: +372-2 52 00 91 Tel: +48-58 664 92 46 California Sur, Caracas, VE-Venezuela Fax: +372-6 54 21 39 Fax: +48-58 664 92 38

BERGMAN & CO MEDIA ¥ 1998 A Short and Poland joined Finland. Austria, Great Britain women was played in Åland, The first World Championships for 1997 joined the IFF. the Stockholm Globe Arena. Australia out and enjoyed by 15 106 spectators in was played in Sweden. The final sold The first World Championships for men 1996 Singapore joined the IFF. European Championships. Belgium and give the tournaments status of Open possibility to take part the IFF decided played in Switzerland. To give Japan the women and the second for men were The first European Championships for 1995 the IFF. Germany, Japan, Latvia and USA joined men was played in Finland. Estonia, The first European Championships for 1994 Republic and Russia joined the IFF. Stockholm, Sweden, for men. The Czech Helsinki, Finland, for women and in The first European Cup was played in 1993 IFF. Zürich, Switzerland. Hungary joined the The first official IFF congress was held in 1992 Denmark and Norway joined the IFF. 1991 were agreed upon. The first set of international game rules 1988 of Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. Sweden, by the floorball associations The IFF was founded in Huskvarna, 1986 T h e o r of the Sport i g History i n a l s t i c k , d e v e l o p e d b y C o s

( U

) a l r e a d y 1 9 5 8 .

Floorball of The Story

game floorball. floorhockey faded away due to the more popuilar plasticbandy, softbandy and floorbandy. The original quite a number of different names – for example and youth clubs the game came to receive Floorhockey quickly became popular in schools played in Holland during a vacation. Sweden by Swedish students who had seen it In the late sixties game was introduced in and a few other countries. 1962. Floorhockey is still played in the USA, Canada and the first tournament was played in Michigan easily bent. The new game was called floorhockey icehockey sticks, but with a soft blade that was To start off with, the sticks looked very similar to puck and plastic sticks. for youngsters and played indoors with a light plastic The sport was originally introduced as a team game the USA in fifties. is a young sport and sees its roots to come from

Bindning Printing & Layout Production & Translation Photographs Illustrations Editorial commitee Rules of the game (IFF), 1995 Grundläggande Innebandy (SIBF), 1997 Strömbergs Förlag), 1997. Innebandy – Hooked on a feeling (SIBF, and Preben Pedersen Authors: Patrik Florin, Eva Liljenberg Startboken för Innebandy (SIBF), 1996 Peter Persson Authors: Christer Olsson and Innebandy (Rabén & Sjögren), 1996 References:

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Tryckeri AB • 1998 Ludvig Larssons Bergman & Co Media Mats Bergman Stefan Kratz William Storey Pether Larsson Bildbyrån, Hässleholm Stefan Svensson Mats Bergman Anton Fahlgren Christer Olsson Stefan Kratz Per Jansson

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F E D E R A The Quick Establishment of the Sport Floorball grew rapidly and soon became an est- Soon people started playing on a competative level, ablished sport in its native country, Sweden. but many still play just for the fun of it. In Sweden The explanation for its growth is due to the Swedish you will see people carrying a stick everywhere, on tradition of a well organised society of activities, their way to a game. The sticks is the only piece of such as sport clubs, and a municipal youth club equipment especially made for floorball. It will cost system. This made floorball available to the mass. you from approx 15 CHF, which makes floorball X X Players total The simplicity of the game, both rules and equipment, cheap compared to many other sports. There are

SINGAPO

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POLA ESTON GERMA SWED

NORW CZECH DENMA REPUB GREA RUSS JAPA T N Latest IFF Statistics – Total Nations 19 Players 151 547 Men -18 66 949 Women -18 16 394 HUNGA AUSTRA BELGI

AUSTR US

SWED U FINLA AUSTRA AUSTR EN LIA IA ND BELGIU M HUNGA RY SINGAPO RE ESTON IA X X RUSSI A SWITZERLA ND JAPA N

NORW LATVI AY A GREA T POLA GERMA BRITA ND NY CZECH DENMAR REP. K To the Trainer: It is important to practise the various tasks of the players and to teach them to change quickly between attack and defense. Remember that Order of the matchsituations changes rapidly. Therefore everyone must know their role. Foundation An Example of Excercising 1981 • Sweden – November 7 Two against one with an overlap pass The world´s oldest sport association, The Swedish Central Association for the 1983 • Japan – December 27 Promotion of Sport (SCAPS), 1996 appointed The players are divided into four lines + two 1985 • Switzerland – April 20 defenders and two goalkeepers. The Swedish Floorball Fede-ration as the Finland – August 23 Swedish Sport Association of the Year. The players are doing this excercise two by 1989 • Denmark – May 27 two, one from each line of the team. Hungary – September The honour of the Swedish Sport Association of the Team 1 starts. Year is annually given. It includes a prize of 200 000 1991 • Norway – May 25 SEK and P.A Molins ”Knife Wrestlers / Bältes- 1992 • Russia – January 10 The player in possession of the ball (player spännare”. Czech Republic – January 14 A) passes to the excercise mate (player B). Germany – June 13 Player B receives the pass and dribbles SCAPS was founded in the 7th of May 1897 in the 1993 • USA – May 5 towards the centre line, where a drop pass Royal Palace of Stockholm, by The Crown Prince Estonia – November 27 is made to player A that comes running Gustaf, Victor G. Balk, Sven Hermelin, Clarence von Latvia – December 11 behind the back of player B. Rosen and another eleven gentlemen 1995 • Poland – February 25 Thereafter the players should improvise to Belgium – April 1 . feint the defender and score a goal. The King of Sweden, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, Singapore – June Great Britain – November 26 it is protector, who in 1996 gave the Presidency to After having finished the attack the players Lennart Johansson, also the Head of UEFA. 1996 • Austria – January 28 of team 1 shall line up last in the line ups of Australia – September 20 team 2, and at the same time the first player in each line up of team 2 starts the excercise in the opposite direction.

Changes: Line A and C changes place. IFF Line B and D changes place. After each attack: Team 1: Player B collects the ball. Presidents Team 2: Player C collects the ball.

age of the participants and when in but obviously be varied depending on the A good training session could look like this, minutes, then rest for 1-2 minutes. special circumstances; should be especially designed to suit these before beeing substituted. The fitness training are on for between 1-2 minutes at a time, In floorball matches, the field players usually Fitness Training work hard for 1-2 A Few Tips

The trainer should make sure that each before the training session. Briefing the players in dressing room explain. objective, which the trainer preferably should Make sure that each exercise has an exercises. time on the rink and for more effective This makes for a more efficient use of the be done and how it is to done. quickly instruct everybody about what is to early in the dressing room and let trainer The easiest way is to gather a few minutes The training should be carefully planned.

Warm down – 2-3 minutes Fitness training – 10 minutes Game play – 15-20 minutes Tactical exercises – 10-20 minutes Techniques – 10-15 minutes Warm up – 10-15 minutes

About

I World Championships is played every year, European Cup is played every year. 151 547 registered players 3207 clubs 19 members associations IFF today matters. National Associations and take care of running power to grant provisional membership new Between congresses the IFF Central Board have about budget and working plan etc, for two years. The congress also elects the central board, decides which is held every second year. Ordinary membership is decided by the congress, that are members of the IFF The IFF consists of the National Association N

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8 A 6 L L F E D E R AT ION you as a player breaks through, or are situated within, “the Slot area”, you should take a quick, well aimed and low shot. Your team mate, that goes for the rebound, should move forward facing the goal and keep the blade of the stick in the floor.

If you are attacking alone you should always try to break in towards the goal and take a shot. The Slot area You should always try to have a team mate inside the “the Slot area”, in front of the goal blocking the view for the goalkeeper, deflection of the ball and taking the rebounds. This player shall not be fixed, but always follow the rythm of the play being ready for offensive support of attacking team mates shots on goal or… to conquer the ball and self aim for a shot on goal.

Remember that a face-off in the attacking zone always means a goalscoring chance. And that free- hit in the attacking zone shall always lead to a shot

Due to the immense growth of floorball a number of The best players often use the stiffer sticks to enable new and improved sticks, with various characteristics, them to make quicker passes and to take quicker have been produced and choosing the right stick is shots. not easy. It is always best to try them before buying, to make sure you get the one best suited for you. Young players and beginners are adviced to use a You should obviously buy one that has been softer stick to enhance stick skills. A soft blade approved. It should be made out of plastic. makes it easier to both dribble and control the ball. Make sure the length of the shaft is correct. The prices vary a lot depending on what brand and sort of stick you choose. A slightly softer standard It is a good idea to have two sticks, because you stick usually cost less compared to a harder clite never know when one could break and you are not stick, which has been designed for competative play allowed to play with a broken stick. The Blade Briefly About playing The blade can be angled into the shape (hook) that you want. Ask your local dealer or some- body who knows how to angle The Centre zone is the it properly, so they can show area involving 10 metres on you. each side of the center line. A small angle will give you a The zone is not marked but better backhand and make it is still quite easy to see in easier to pass accurately. the play. A more curved blade will give better control on your forehand, Many trainers and coaches, but makes it slightly harder to however, have their own pass accurately. If the blade is measure of the centre zone curved more than 3 cm you will depending on tactics they be sent off. use. How to measure the angle Put your stick on a flat surface and measure the distance between the sureface and the lower edge of the blades highest point. Make sure that it is less

Here are some tips about Make Sure the Stick Fits efficient play in Your stick is your personal tool and you may make necessary adjustments to it. It is allowed for you to shorten the shaft and to bend the blade as long as it complies with the rules. Cross the centre line as fast as possible. Widen the play and use the complete rink. Change posistions with eachother, whithout The Shaft losing the width. Create free areas for your team mates. A short stick can give you better control and Use your team mates as cover to be able to go technique because it brings you closer to the ball. That means you can take more advantage of a round your opponents and in to the attacking good pass and hopefully score. Therefore make zone. The Blade must not be sharp and its hook must not exceed 30 mm. sure that your shaft is at the right length. The right Do not run with the ball if you have a team mate All tampering with the blade, except hooking, is prohibited. The hook length is measured from the floor up to your navel, in a free area in front of you. shall be measured from the lower edge of the highest point of the blade when the stick is lying on an even surface. Changing the the blade included. Try to get the ball into the attacking zone in the blade is allowed, but the new blade must not be weakened. Taping A shaft longer than this would be a disadvantage. middle of the rink - that will give you more the joint between the blade and the shaft is allowed, but not more As many sticks are made out of a hard plastic than 10 mm of the visible part of the blade must be covered. opportunities. material, you are best advised to use a hacksaw (Rules of the Game • 4 Equipment • 407/3 - Stick) when shortening them. Briefly About Defending

Defending usually starts the same moment you lost

The Grip Clo thing

Most of the sticks are sold with a high quality grip, All the players must wear a team shirt, shorts and but if it does not feel right, other grips can be bought. sports socks, in club colours. Any colour combination Make sure that the grip is long enough. It should is allowed exept a plain grey team shirt, due to the cover the area you use when playing, but not below referees wearing that colour. The shirts can have the grip mark which is placed 24 cm from the lower any number between 1-99, number 1 being reserved end of the shaft. The grip is not allowed to cover The main objective when defending is to try to stop the attacking team as early as possible and counterattack. All five players must take part in defending, stick together and work as a unit on the rink.

During league and tournament Briefly About Attacking play the goalkeeper has to have an approveded helmet. TheTh goalkeeper is also protected by an The attack usually especially made goalkeeper´sgoalke shirt and trousersousers with thickt starts immediately padding. Ass a complimentcomplime to that equipment gloves, kneepadskneep and after winning the ball. a jockstrap can be added.adde

The speed of the attack equals the The equipmentment becomesbecome illegal when the objectivebjective of it is to cover The best way to attack is to pass the ball upfield parts of thee goal. It is imimportant to a team mate in an attacking position. to make sureure that movemovements is Make sure your passes are not intercepted, unrestrictedd and the goalgoalkeeper´s because if they are, it often gives superb balance is maintained. opportunities for the opponents to counter attack and score. The goalkeeper´s dress should differ from the teamcolours. The See to it when passing, that the pass is made shoes should be sports shoes infront of your team mate and not behind him. and of an indoor model. The Do not forget that the board is very useful when passing and avoid making unnecessary dribbles in defensive positions when you stand a risk of losing the ball. is a very important player and can easily When your team is attacking, and be the difference The Goalkeeperbetween winning and you are not in the possession of the ball, you should bare the following losing. in mind: In this quick and intensive sport it is Let the ballkeeper use you as cover against very important that the opponents. You can create space for the ballkeeper if you, for example close to the the goalkeeper reads board, stands in the way for an opponent and interprets the trying to conquer the ball. You should also, occuring situations in as fast as possible, find free areas of the rink a correct way. where receiving a pass is possible. The goalkepeer You should not run into a well gathered usually plays the defence if all forwards of your team are on entire match and their way forward. If you are the ballkeeper should therefore you should try to keep the ball such that a practice extra fitness, team mate makes it into position in front of reaction ability and the goal for deflection of the ball or taking a moving with speed in rebound. During floorball´s first ten years both the rink 1-2-2 and goal sizes have changed. In many places This is another formation without a specific floorball is played without goalkeeper´s. They center, which puts extra responsibility on 1-2-2 then often play three aside in small halls, with the midfielders. small goals. They must work together sideways so that 20 m one of them always covers the middle. 40 m Today´s international rink size is 40 x 20 m and the goal size is 160 x 115 cm. The rules do allow all rink sizes in between 36 x 18 m 1-3-1 and 44 x 22 m, as long as the rink formula is Demands high tactical knowledge and Length = 2 x Width. disciplined play by the three midfielders, who have to take extra responsibility both A fully equipped rink has goal area marking, in defence and attack. The advantage of this a centre line, and a centre spot plus the other tactic is that you always have four players six face off points, all clearly marked. See attacking and when defending usually 40 m picture. intercept the opponent´s pass early on.

The rink should also be enclosed by a board, 50 cm height, with rounded corners. The board has to be movable and come apart when 1-3-1 collisions, knocks and thumps occur.

Substitution zones, with the length of 10 m 40 m 40 m should be clearly marked out on the long side of the board, 5 m from the centre line.

The rink is always checked and approved by the referees and if not up to standard the home side are forced to make the adjustments so that the game can be played.

5,0

Goal area 1,5 2,5 4,0 Goalkeeper Floorball is now moving into bigger arenas. area 1,0 Spectators, in larger numbers, are getting what 0,65 they want – excitment, fastness, action and 1,6 3,5 a great portion of 2,85 Distance between the goal posts See you in the floorball arena! Board The Ball How is Floorball Played The ball should be made out of white plastic and Floorball is played in match form between two have 26 symmetrically placed holes with 10 mm in teams consisting of five field players and a goal- diameter. The ball´s diameter should be 72 mm keeper. and weight 23 g. If the rink colour motivates a change in the ball´s colour, this may be arranged. The idea of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team within the limits of the rules.

Game Time The game time can vary depending on the age of the players. From the age of sixteen it is 3 x 20 minutes.

During tournaments other game times can be used, however no min. less than 2 x 15 minutes.

The Most Common Defensive Lineups 2-1-2

A team has five field players and a number of ways of putting them to use. The choice of tactics usually depends on what is known about the opponents. For the chosen tactics to work it is essential that every player knows what to do and that they all work as a team.

2-1-2 The most commonly used tactic. Here the center has an important job keeping the team together and always being correctly positioned when defending. 2-2-1

2-2-1 This formation does not have a center which puts more responsibility on the single forward. He must move quickly sideways to steer the opponent to pass into the well gathered defence behind him. Stoppage of the game time/ The best defenders are all round players, who play both in defence and attack. The defender obviously has his main priority in defending, but also has the Each match should be led and Their main objective is to interpret responsibility of choosing to stay in an attacking controlled by two referees with equal the rulebook in a correct manner position or move backwards to delay the opposition´s responsibility, cooperating to ensure and put it to practice. The referees The Defenders attack. The defenders should work closely with the that the game runs smoothly. should always be assisted by a goalkeeper. Floorball is one of today´s fastest secretariat, which is responsible games and therefore demands well for the match record, time keeping Playing center is probably the most challenging The Center position on the rink. You need to be very fit due to the constant running. The centre is the only player who is expected to be involved in every single The Forwards situation on the rink, both up front and in defence. The center is also a main factor in the distribution Face-off (802) of the ball. Split vision, good passing and good shooting are a center´s trademarks.

Nearly every floorball player wants to be a forward, to be able to score lots of goals. Still the forwards main job is to create goalscoring chances for Hit-in (803) themselves and for their team mates. A good forward will often take chances and dribble with the ball in attacking positions. Sometimes he will succeed, sometimes not. It is also important that the forwards cooperate with their team mates in order for them

Free-hit (804)

Bench penalty/ Personal penalty

Incorrect hit Penalty shot

Locking an opponent´s Incorrect

Holding (910)

render 2 minutes penalties: decisions in a disturbing or otherwise incorrect When a player protest against the referee´s stick. When a field player participates in play without or sitting down. When a field player stops or plays the ball lying his arm or head. When a field player stops the ball with his hand, control of the ball. When a player obstructs an opponent, not in onent´s equipment. When a player holds an opponent, or opp- trips an opponent. When a player, trying to reach the ball, tackles or hits, blocks, lifts or kicks an opponent´s stick. advantage or with no possibility to reach the ball, When a player, in order to win considerable These infringements swiftly and correctly interpret situations basis. This is why two referees are needed, to by the referees are made on an extremely frequent The game intensity makes sure that decisions games with players in the penalty bench. players avoid these situations. You do not win and illegal pushing. Skillful experienced The most frequent infringements are slashing swiftly an basis. Thi by the ref The gam games wi players a and illega The most e e v

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penalty: than 2 minutes penalty or match A match penalty shall always be followed by a behaviour (match penalty 2). Repeated or continued unsportsman like penalty + 10 minutes personal penalty). guilty of unsportsmanlike behaviour (2 minutes When a player or member of the team staff is (match penalty 2). sidered to respect attempts sepeerate them fight, without punches or kicks, and are con- When players participate in a milder form of participates in the match (match penalty 1). When a player, not noted in the match record, (match penalty 1). wide or a shaft which is too long too is which When a field player uses stick with hook or the goal cage (5 min.). reach it, tackles an opponent against the board When a player, in control of the ball or trying to opponent´s body (5 min.). When a field player uses the stick to hook an with his stick (5 min.). trying to reach it, strikes violently or dangerously When a field player, in control of the ball or These infringements render more

It is not allowed to:

swing … the stick, raise blade above waist level in back under control for more than 3 seconds (goalkeepers only), team mate, receive or play the ball above knee level with …or forward swing when hitting the ball, keep ball hit, block, lift or kick an opponent´s stick, foot pass to a

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It is not allowed to:

Holding (910)

Each team is allowed up to twenty players plus five team staffs to be noted in the match record. Some Locking an opponent´s To be able to start a game each team has to present at last five fieldplayers and one Incorrect Simple properly equipped goalkeeper. During the game each team must have at Floorball is a sport that everybody can take part in. The rules encourage quick and technical play, which makes for a spectator friendly sport. Hard Player Substitutions physical play is therefore not allowed. Substitutions of players may take place at any Here follows a short extract of the most important time and an unlimited number of times during a rules. match. All substitutions must take place within the team´s When infringements are made, free hits are awarded own substitution zone. A player leaving the rink High stick (904) and if bad enough penalties given.Incorrect Players can be must be on his way over the board before the sent off for two, five or ten minutes or for the rest of substitute may enter the rink. An injured player the game, depending on the art of the infringement. leaving the rink outside the own substitution zone A penalized player is not allowed to leave the penalty Incorrect High stick (904) Holding (910) Stoppage of the game time/ The best defenders are all round players, who play both in defence and attack. The defender obviously has his main priority in defending, but also has the Each match should be led and Their main objective is to interpret responsibility of choosing to stay in an attacking controlled by two referees with equal the rulebook in a correct manner position or move backwards to delay the opposition´s responsibility, cooperating to ensure and put it to practice. The referees The Defenders attack. The defenders should work closely with the that the game runs smoothly. should always be assisted by a goalkeeper. Floorball is one of today´s fastest secretariat, which is responsible games and therefore demands well for the match record, time keeping Playing center is probably the most challenging The Center position on the rink. You need to be very fit due to the constant running. The centre is the only player who is expected to be involved in every single The Forwards situation on the rink, both up front and in defence. The center is also a main factor in the distribution Face-off (802) of the ball. Split vision, good passing and good shooting are a center´s trademarks.

Free-hit (804)

Bench penalty/ Personal penalty

Incorrect hit Penalty shot

Locking an opponent´s The Ball How is Floorball Played The ball should be made out of white plastic and Floorball is played in match form between two have 26 symmetrically placed holes with 10 mm in teams consisting of five field players and a goal- diameter. The ball´s diameter should be 72 mm keeper. and weight 23 g. If the rink colour motivates a change in the ball´s colour, this may be arranged. The idea of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team within the limits of the rules.

Game Time The game time can vary depending on the age of the players. From the age of sixteen it is 3 x 20 minutes.

During tournaments other game times can be used, however no min. less than 2 x 15 minutes.

The Most Common Defensive Lineups 2-1-2

2-1-2 The most commonly used tactic. Here the center has an important job keeping the team together and always being correctly positioned when defending. 2-2-1

2-2-1 This formation does not have a center which puts more responsibility on the single forward. He must move quickly sideways to steer the opponent to pass into the well gathered defence behind him. During floorball´s first ten years both the rink 1-2-2 and goal sizes have changed. In many places This is another formation without a specific floorball is played without goalkeeper´s. They center, which puts extra responsibility on 1-2-2 then often play three aside in small halls, with the midfielders. small goals. They must work together sideways so that 20 m one of them always covers the middle. 40 m Today´s international rink size is 40 x 20 m and the goal size is 160 x 115 cm. The rules do allow all rink sizes in between 36 x 18 m 1-3-1 and 44 x 22 m, as long as the rink formula is Demands high tactical knowledge and Length = 2 x Width. disciplined play by the three midfielders, who have to take extra responsibility both A fully equipped rink has goal area marking, in defence and attack. The advantage of this a centre line, and a centre spot plus the other tactic is that you always have four players six face off points, all clearly marked. See attacking and when defending usually 40 m picture. intercept the opponent´s pass early on.

The rink should also be enclosed by a board, 50 cm height, with rounded corners. The board has to be movable and come apart when 1-3-1 collisions, knocks and thumps occur.

Substitution zones, with the length of 10 m 40 m 40 m should be clearly marked out on the long side of the board, 5 m from the centre line.

The rink is always checked and approved by the referees and if not up to standard the home side are forced to make the adjustments so that the game can be played.

5,0

Defending usually starts the same moment you lost

The Grip Clo thing

The most effective pass in attack is probably the cross court pass. Make sure you cover this Shoes option and your defensive position at the same time. Do not run around chasing the ball on Ordinary indoor gym shoes or your own when not needed. The closer your sneakers will do. The main thing opponents come to your goal, the more compact being that they have a good grip your defence needs to be. and maintain stability in the feet. There are now especially designed Act as a unit and help your goalkeeper to make neccessary saves. The Blade Briefly About playing The blade can be angled into the shape (hook) that you want. Ask your local dealer or some- body who knows how to angle The Centre zone is the it properly, so they can show area involving 10 metres on you. each side of the center line. A small angle will give you a The zone is not marked but better backhand and make it is still quite easy to see in easier to pass accurately. the play. A more curved blade will give better control on your forehand, Many trainers and coaches, but makes it slightly harder to however, have their own pass accurately. If the blade is measure of the centre zone curved more than 3 cm you will depending on tactics they be sent off. use. How to measure the angle Put your stick on a flat surface and measure the distance between the sureface and the lower edge of the blades highest point. Make sure that it is less

Remember that a face-off in the attacking zone always means a goalscoring chance. And that free- hit in the attacking zone shall always lead to a shot

Warm down – 2-3 minutes Fitness training – 10 minutes Game play – 15-20 minutes Tactical exercises – 10-20 minutes Techniques – 10-15 minutes Warm up – 10-15 minutes

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8 A 6 L L F E D E R AT ION To the Trainer: It is important to practise the various tasks of the players and to teach them to change quickly between attack and defense. Remember that Order of the matchsituations changes rapidly. Therefore everyone must know their role. Foundation An Example of Excercising 1981 • Sweden – November 7 Two against one with an overlap pass The world´s oldest sport association, The Swedish Central Association for the 1983 • Japan – December 27 Promotion of Sport (SCAPS), 1996 appointed The players are divided into four lines + two 1985 • Switzerland – April 20 defenders and two goalkeepers. The Swedish Floorball Fede-ration as the Finland – August 23 Swedish Sport Association of the Year. The players are doing this excercise two by 1989 • Denmark – May 27 two, one from each line of the team. Hungary – September The honour of the Swedish Sport Association of the Team 1 starts. Year is annually given. It includes a prize of 200 000 1991 • Norway – May 25 SEK and P.A Molins ”Knife Wrestlers / Bältes- 1992 • Russia – January 10 The player in possession of the ball (player spännare”. Czech Republic – January 14 A) passes to the excercise mate (player B). Germany – June 13 Player B receives the pass and dribbles SCAPS was founded in the 7th of May 1897 in the 1993 • USA – May 5 towards the centre line, where a drop pass Royal Palace of Stockholm, by The Crown Prince Estonia – November 27 is made to player A that comes running Gustaf, Victor G. Balk, Sven Hermelin, Clarence von Latvia – December 11 behind the back of player B. Rosen and another eleven gentlemen 1995 • Poland – February 25 Thereafter the players should improvise to Belgium – April 1 . feint the defender and score a goal. The King of Sweden, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, Singapore – June Great Britain – November 26 it is protector, who in 1996 gave the Presidency to After having finished the attack the players Lennart Johansson, also the Head of UEFA. 1996 • Austria – January 28 of team 1 shall line up last in the line ups of Australia – September 20 team 2, and at the same time the first player in each line up of team 2 starts the excercise in the opposite direction.

Changes: Line A and C changes place. IFF Line B and D changes place. After each attack: Team 1: Player B collects the ball. Presidents Team 2: Player C collects the ball.

= Attacking player Table of Signs 1986-1992 Temporary board of = Attacking defender management = Defender = Forward movement without ball = Forward movement with stop = Forward movement with ball = Change of speed forward 1992-1996 Pekka Mukkala, Finland A B C = Player´s Line Up = Backward movement without ball = Pass L = Leader 1996- Tomas Eriksson, Sweden = Backward movement with ball = Lift pass = Cone = Bench Mr Tomas Eriksson, the President of the Swedish Floorball Federation. under movement Mr Lennart Johansson, the President of SCAPS and Per Jansson, SFF. The Quick Establishment of the Sport Floorball grew rapidly and soon became an est- Soon people started playing on a competative level, ablished sport in its native country, Sweden. but many still play just for the fun of it. In Sweden The explanation for its growth is due to the Swedish you will see people carrying a stick everywhere, on tradition of a well organised society of activities, their way to a game. The sticks is the only piece of such as sport clubs, and a municipal youth club equipment especially made for floorball. It will cost system. This made floorball available to the mass. you from approx 15 CHF, which makes floorball X X Players total The simplicity of the game, both rules and equipment, cheap compared to many other sports. There are

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NORW LATVI AY A GREA T POLA GERMA BRITA ND NY CZECH DENMAR REP. K A Short and Poland joined Finland. Austria, Great Britain women was played in Åland, The first World Championships for 1997 joined the IFF. the Stockholm Globe Arena. Australia out and enjoyed by 15 106 spectators in was played in Sweden. The final sold The first World Championships for men 1996 Singapore joined the IFF. European Championships. Belgium and give the tournaments status of Open possibility to take part the IFF decided played in Switzerland. To give Japan the women and the second for men were The first European Championships for 1995 the IFF. Germany, Japan, Latvia and USA joined men was played in Finland. Estonia, The first European Championships for 1994 Republic and Russia joined the IFF. Stockholm, Sweden, for men. The Czech Helsinki, Finland, for women and in The first European Cup was played in 1993 IFF. Zürich, Switzerland. Hungary joined the The first official IFF congress was held in 1992 Denmark and Norway joined the IFF. 1991 were agreed upon. The first set of international game rules 1988 of Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. Sweden, by the floorball associations The IFF was founded in Huskvarna, 1986 T h e o r of the Sport i g History i n a l s t i c k , d e v e l o p e d b y C o s

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